David Virelles moved to New York in 2009 — and, following in a long line of Cuban-born pianists before him, quickly found himself in several bands led by elite jazz musicians. But Virelles also moved to study composition with iconoclast Henry Threadgill, and what he's come up with as a bandleader extends beyond music. His album Continuum, released in 2012, features musicians of multiple generations; it also weaves in computer-generated textures, poetry (in Spanish as well as Afro-Cuban religious languages) and the abstract paintings of Alberto Lescay. It's a back-to-the-future recording, a work of mystery.

Having played the Village Vanguard as a sideman for Mark Turner and Chris Potter, Virelles makes his debut as a leader at the hallowed venue with the Continuum band. WBGO and NPR Music featured David Virelles in a live online video webcast and radio broadcast.

Set List

All compositions by David Virelles.

"One"

"El Brujo and the Pyramid'

"The Executioner"

"Mokongo"

"Threefold"

"Biankomeko"

"To Know"

Personnel

David Virelles, piano

Román Filiú, saxophone

Ben Street, bass

Andrew Cyrille, drums

Ogduardo "Román" Díaz, spoken word/percussion

Credits

Host and Producer: Josh Jackson; Audio Engineer: David Tallacksen; Production Assistant: Michael Downes. Recorded Jan. 30, 2013 at The Village Vanguard in New York, N.Y.